Hi Elaine;
The short answer to your query is YES! The longer answer includes a
discussion of training, certification, professional expectations,
understanding of unique child and youth needs, professional settings and a
commitment to the field, etc, etc.
I would love a longer discussion over a few emails, as I am a child and
youth care professional, swamped with work (as we all are!)

NOTE: You will find a rich seam on this topic by going to CYC-NET at
www.cyc-net.org and then using the
Google search of our site. Enter the words: child youth care profession in
the search box, and take a picnic lunch with you! - Editors
...

Hi Elaine,
I am unclear how you want your query answered? Yes, child and youth care is
a profession ... you ask us what we think about that: For me,
child and youth care is a "profession" based on the belief
that professionalism is necessary to any kind of work I am doing
particularly in human services. I think professionalism is the more
potent component simply because as I work I am not necessarily focussed on
my "profession". However, I am at all times cognizant of my professionalism,
if that makes sense. I think there is a congruence between my beliefs
and values that shows up in my "professional stance." For
instance I am in the child and youth care profession and yet it is my
personal values regarding respect for myself and others that drives my work
with youth. Then I might ask is it my personal values that encompass my
professional role or were those values honed during my academic career as a
child and youth care student? It is a good question, one that
has me ruminating on the possibilities.
Thank you
Marjorie Mcquarrie
...

In my mind Youth Care is absolutely a profession. I have dedicated almost
fifteen years of my life to this field. I have a certificate, a degree and a
multitude of workshops under my belt. If one refers to the dictionary, a
higher education as well as mental labor rather than physical is listed to
describe a profession. We certainly fall under those criteria. We are also a
collective body, we have standards that need to be followed and we are held
accountable by these standards.
Charlene Snell, YCW
...

In response to Elaine's question ...
Your question is one that has been extensively discussed by Child and Youth
workers for several years. One notable discussion, "Beyond Professionalism:
The Child and Youth Care Worker as Craftsman" (Eisikoits, Z., Beker, J.:
Child Care Quarterly (1983), 12, 93-112); and H. Maeir's response
"Should Child and Youth Care Go the Craft or the Professional Route?"
Child and Youth Care Forum, (1983) 30 (6), 435-440. provide some food
for thought.

While the dictionary definition has not always applied to Child and Youth
Care, our discipline is increasingly fitting that criteria as education
requirements for becoming a CYCW are better defined, as we participate in
specialized higher education programs, create professional organizations and
develop standards for practice. While these parameters for defining a
profession are adequate within the corporate framework, I believe that Child
and Youth Care has added dimensions that define us as a profession. These
dimensions incorporate more than theories, concepts, advanced education and
standards; and probably resemble craftsmanship, dedication and passion for
the work we do. There has been a school of thought that suggests that the
latter dimensions detract from 'professional status'. For me, a combination
of the corporate framework and the added dimensions ('craftsmanship',
dedication, passion) go hand in hand to make our discipline a profession. So
yes, Child and Youth Care is a profession, but I believe we won't be
recognized or embraced by other professions until we ourselves acknowledge
that we are.

Maxine Kelly
Tennessee
...

Maxine, thanks for your response.
I agree and believe we must keep this notion alive if we want to choose our
own path to professionalization and honor the values embraced by our
profession. It is interesting to note that when one does this, great
innovation can occur around traditional structures such as certification and
legislative recognition. B.C has been focusing on this for many years
and the association has worked diligently in the development of a draft
certification document which, in my opinion, upholds the principles of
quality care and provides a unique structure for this element of the
traditional certification processes. Unfortunately, as associations
experience time and time again, funding has been a major stumbling block in
moving this initiative forward. Who would have thought that I would
still get energized by this discussion after 20 years!